Amusement apparatus



Aug. (27, 1946. w. A. TRI XTSCH 2,406,481

4 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Ma 17, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1 m nute. I

n M/em m/w 1946- w-. A. TRATSCH AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1945 sShets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. B (M/far 774/56? w; A. TRATSCH AMUSEMENTAPPARATUS File d my 17,.194 5- Aug. 27,1945.

3- Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 27, 1946 Walter A. Tratsch, Chicago,Ill., assignor to Cl'alrence E. Threedy, Chicago, 111., as trusteeApplication May 17, 1945,- Serial No. 594,297

6 Claims. 1

v 3 his invention relates to amusement apparatuses. v V

More specifically the invention relates to a mechanism for providing astaggered and intermittent movement of a plurality of objects each.

simulating a race horse or a greyhound or other animal or character,over an unobstructed track, and to this end it is sought by thisinvention to accomplish the foregoing by a structure .which is simpleand economical in manufacture, requiring the minimum number of parts foreffective operation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in'the novel combination and arrangement of partsto be hereinafter described and claimed.

' The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. lis a plan view of the amusement apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional detail view takensubstantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view of the same taken substantially online 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view of the same taken substantially online 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical plan view of a suggested circuit arrangementembodied in the in- Vention. v

The drawings illustrate the preferred form of construction by which theseveral objects of this invention are accomplished. In this connection asuitable mounting plate is indicated at I0. Positioned atone end of thismounting, plate is a U -shaped bracket the end portions |2 of which are,arranged in parallel relation with respect to each other to providespaced bearings for a driven shaft 3 extending through the mountingplate l and extending vertically thereabove. The lower end portion ofthis shaft I3 is slotted as at I for the reception of a key l6 carriedby the driving. shaft H, which driving shaft I! i rotated by a suitabledriving power, such for example, an electric or spring motor (notshown).,. The major length of this shaft I3 is provided with alongitudinal slot l8 for reasons hereinafter set forth. Positioned uponthe shaft l3 and fixed thereto by means of a suitable set screw l9 andlocated adjacent the lower end portions l2 of the bracket I is a collar20.

Upon this shaft |3 in spaced relation with respect to each other arearranged a plurality of driving discs 2|. Each disc 2| supports a pulley22. Each disc 2| provides a central hub 23 projected through an opening24 formed in the pulley 22 supported by the disc. Each hub 23 extendsslightly above the top surface 25 of the adjacent pulley 22 so that thehubs are in effect resting one upon the other and support the discs 2|in spaced relation from the pulleys 22, 'asbest shown in Fig. 3. Eachhub 23 is provided with a transverse web 26 which fits into thelongitudinal slot 3 formed in the shaft l3 whereby to provide drivingconnection between the discs 2| andthe shaft l3. Each pulley comprises agroove 21 and a ratchet gear 28; In the grooves 21 of the pulleys workcontinuou ribbon-like belts 29.

At the opposite end of the mounting plate H1 3 there is securedasubstantially U-shaped bracket 30, the end portions 3| of whichprovidesuitable bearings for the ends 32 of a shaft 33 disposed betweenthe end portions3 v On this shaft 33 there is arranged a plurality ofpulleys 34 spaced from each other by suitable collars 35 disposedbetween the pulleys a shown. The top and bottom pulley of the pulleys34, are spaced from the end portions 3| of the bracket 30 by a suitablebushings 36. These pulleys 34 each comprise grooves 31 in which work thecontinuous ribbon-like belts 29. V

The lowermost of "the discs 2| (as shown in Fig. 3)'rests' upon thecollar 20 fixed to the shaft 3 by the set screw t9.

The arrangement is such that when the shaft |3 is rotated by the shaftH, the pulleys 22, resting'u'pon the driving discs 2|, will rotate withthe discs 2| except when prevented from doing so in a manner now to bedescribed. Fixed to the mounting plate It) is a supporting bracket 38.Carried by this bracket 38 are a plurality of independently operatedsolenoids 39 each comprising a solenoid shaft 40 adapted to be projectedoutwardly toward the pulleys 22 by any suitable or well-known meanssuccessively engage the ratchet gears 28 of the pulleys 22 tomomentarily hold one of the pulleys against rotation witli itsrespective drivin'gor supporting disc 2|.

This successive engagement between the solenoid shafts lt' and theratchet gears 29 may be accomplished in any suitable manner, butfor thepurpose of illustration I have shown in Fig. 6 a circuit diagram capableof this accomplishment. In this connection, 4| indicates a motor-drivenswitch arm, the motor being indicated at 42 and arranged in an electriccircuit 43, in which circuit there is a master switch 44 to controloperation of themotor 42. 'This switch arm' lliis adapted, in thepresent instance, to engage contact buttons 45 having connection withthe solenoids. The opposite side of these solenoids is connected by thecircuit conductors 41 to the source of electric energy 48.

The arrangement is such that upon engagejment between the switch arm 4|and one of the contact buttons 45, the solenoid coil connected to suchbutton will be energized and the solenoid shaft 40 projected intoengagement with the gear 128 to momentarily hold the pulley with whichthat gearis associated, against rotation with its driving or supportingdisc. This will permit the remaining belts 29 to rotate while the beltof the pulley thus restrained from rotation will momentarily remainstationary. While I have illustrated in Fig. 6 that the buttons 45 aresuccessively engaged, it is obvious that an arrangement maybe adoptedfor alternately engaging such buttons. Secured to each of the belts 29is a spring-like 7 supporting wire 49 which supports a suitable objectwhich object may simulate a race horse, greyhound or other racinganimal. This racing object may be supported fromits respective wiresupport49 in a manner substantially similar to thatdisclosed-inapplication, Serial No. 574,436, filed January 25, 1945. w

i To complete the invention, a suitable structure isprovided to simulatea race track R. In this connection it is one of the objects of thisinvention to support this race track in a manner such as would notinterfere with the movement of the wires 49 by the belts 129. Toaccomplish this object, there is provided a plurality of rod-likeelements 52 equally spaced from each other as. best shown in Figs. 1, 2and 5, to provide guideways 52', which in the present'instance aresubstantially 'QVQzl-Shtlilfid in plan view and between which the wires49 project and move;

1 These rod-like members 52'are arranged concentrically with respect toeach other to simulate a racetrack. These red like members 52 aresupported by bars 5-3 arranged in spaced parallel relation with respectto each other and bent'to provide vertical end portions 54 secured tothe' rod-like members 52 by soldering or the like. These bars 53 arefurther bent to provide horizontal end portions 55 secured to plates 56carried by the brackets l l. As the bars 53 are concentric with respectto each other and support the track rods 52 in concentric relation withre- :spect to each other, it is manifest that the guideways- 52' betweeneach of the track rods 52 and bars 53 are unobstructed, thus permittingthe 'wires 49 'tolmove through the passages 51 free from anyinterference.

The operation of the amusement apparatus is as follows:

Upon rotation of the shaft IS the pulleys 22, by reason of theirfrictional engagement with the discs 2|, will be caused to rotate and inturn the belts 29 will travel around these pulleys and the pulleys 34..As the belts 29 travel around the pulleys 22 and 34, the supportingwires 49 will move along the track provided by the track rods 52.

and carry the racing object 5| therewith. Upon operation of the motor42, the switch arm 4! will be successively brought into contact with theconductor buttons 45 and successively effect energization of thesolenoid coils 46, thus successively projecting the solenoid shafts 45into engagement with'the ratchet gears 28, momentarily restrainingrotation of one of the pulleys 22. While restrained, the belt of thatpulley, 29, will momentarily stop traveling'and consequently the racing,

object carried thereby will likewise momentarily stop moving,thus'permitting the other racing ob-' jects to advance forward of theracing object momentarily stopped. By this arrangement, the

racing objects may advance ahead of one 'another, thus simulating afast-moving object and one which has been slowed up or momentarilystopped. As before stated, while I have not indicated the mechanism foralternately engaging the conductor buttons 45, such mechanism may beprovided without departing from the spirit of this invention.

, From the foregoing description, it is apparent that there is providedan amusement apparatus "in which the racing objects may gain or. loseaccording to the degree of rotation of the pulleys- 22 controlling theirmovement over a track simu-' Y lated by the track rods 52.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying my invention *into efiect, this iscapable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as comewithin the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is: I V

1'. An apparatus of the class described comprising a pair of spacedsupporting brackets, a shaft supported by each of said brackets, aplurality of pulleys mounted in superimposed relation with respect .toeach other on one of said shafts and freely rotatable with respectthereto, a plurality of pulleys arranged in superimposed relation withrespect to each other on the other of said'shafts and freelyrotatablewith.re-. spec't thereto, with each pulley providing a ratch et gear, aplurality of driven discs supporting, said last-named pulleys, means forconnecting said discs to said other of the shafts for rotationtherewith, continuous belt 'members rotatable around said pulleys,'andmeans adaptedto selectively engage said ratchet gears to selectivelyrestrain said last-named pulleys against rotation.

2. An apparatus of the class described'comprising a pair of spacedsupporting brackets, a shaft supported by each of said brackets, aplurality of pulleys mounted in superimposed relation with respect toeach other on one of said shafts and freely rotatable with respectthere-to, a plurality of pulleys arranged in superimposed Mtivelyrestrain said last-named pulleys against rotation. a

3. An apparatus of the class described, eom= prising a bracket member, adriven shaft sup ported by said bracket member, a plurality of groovedpulleys mounted in superimposed-rela .tion with respect to eachother andfreelyrotatable with respect to said shaft, a'drive'n disc supportingeach of said pulleys and? having frictional N L Li driving engagementwith respect thereto, means for connecting said discs to said shaft forrotation therewith, and means for selectively restraining rotation ofone of said pulleys with respect to the disc supporting said pulley,said last-named means including a ratchet gear on each of said pulleysand a solenoid shaft adapted to engage said ratchet gear.

4. An apparatus of .the class described, comprising a bracket member, adriven shaft supported by said bracket member, a plurality of groovedpulleys mounted in superimposed relation with respect to each other andfreely rotatable with respect to said shaft, a driven disc supportingeach of said pulleys and having frictional driving engagement withrespect thereto, means for connecting said discs to said shaft forrotation therewith, said means comprising a longitudinal slot formed insaid shaft and a hub formed in each of said discs and having a centralweb disposed on said slot, and means for selectively restrainingrotation ofone of said pulleys with respect to the disc supporting saidpulley, said last-named means including a ratchet gear on each of saidpulleys and a solenoid shaft adapted to engage saidratchet gear.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a structure simulatinga race track, a mounting plate, spaced bracket members on said plate,shaft members carried by said bracket members, a plurality of pulleysmounted on one of said shaft members for free rotation with respectthereto, a plurality of pulleys mounted in superimposed relation withrespect to each other on said other shaft member and freely rotatablewith respect thereto, continuous 'belt elements rotatable over saidpulleys, a plurality of discs i for supporting the pulleys mounted onsaid other shaft, means for connecting the discs to said other shaft forrotation therewith, means for selectively and momentarily restrainingrotation of the pulleys on said other shaft, a plurality of racingobjects above said track, means connecting said racing objects to saidbelt elements for support above said track, and driving means for saidother shaft.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising a, structuresimulating a race track, a mounting plate, spaced bracket members onsaid plate, shaft members carried by said bracket members, a pluralityof pulleys mounted on one of said shaft members for free rotation withrespect thereto, a plurality of pulleys mounted in superimposed relationwith respect to each other on said other shaft member and freelyrotatable with respect thereto, continuous belt elements rotatable oversaid pulleys, a plurality of discs for supporting the pulleys mounted onsaid other shaft, means for connecting the discs to said other shaft forrotation therewith, means for selectively and momentarily restrainingrotation of the pulleys on said other shaft, said means comprising aratchet gear provided by each of said pulleys and a solenoid shaftadapted to engage said ratchet gear, a plurality of racing objects abovesaid track, means connecting said racing "objects to said belt elementsfor support above said track, and driving means for said other shaft.

WALTER A. TRATSCH.

